WHERE THE MIND IS WITHOUT FEAR. (Chitto jetha bhayashunyo)

Where the mind is without fear, Chitto jetha bhayashunyo, is one of the popular poems written by Rabindranath Tagore before our independence, with a wish that his enslaved nation would become as per the poem goes. This poem was included in Gitanjali in and around 1910.

The poem is,

"Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;

Where knowledge is free;

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments

By narrow domestic walls

Where words come out from the depth of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way

Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;

Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action;

Take it easy, life is a valued gift. This poem is inspiring to all, Indians with free-thinking, undivided, dynamic nation. His wishes and dreams are yet to be fulfilled." Poet pledges to Almighty that his country should be free from any fear of oppression or forced compulsion.

He wants that everyone in his country should be free to hold their heads high in dignity. He dreams of a nation where knowledge or education would be free that is education should not be restricted to the upper class only but everybody should be free to acquire knowledge. There should not be any caste distinctions or gender distinction when it comes to education."

"Poet wishes for a world which is not fragmented by prejudices based on caste, creed, colour, religion or other baseless superstitions. Prejudices and superstitions should not divide the people in groups and break their unity. He wants a nation where people are truthful, not superficial and words should come out from the depth of their hearts."

"He wants the power of reason to dominate the minds of his countrymen, he does not want the stream of reason to be lost amongst outdated customs and traditions and only that can direct the mind towards selfless thoughts and everlasting action."

"The poem is patriotic in nature considering the independence and the happiness of the countrymen as the most important factor. If a country lacks such requirements, the countrymen can never be at peace. Consequently, the society will be full of disharmony and social unjust. The poem sends a message that the society should be free from all social evils, only then it can lead to progress. Therefore, poet prays to God to create such an ideal society for his motherland."

Please let us find out, what, all of us liked most about this poem written by Rabindranath Tagore. How long a nation needs to fulfil his wishes?